Ben Zobrist, Outfielder
Tampa Bay Devil Rays

The 2008 season was a coming out party for Ben Zobrist!  The Tampa Bay Rays shocked the baseball world by winning the toughest division in the major leagues (AL East) and ultimately participating in the World Series.  

The  Dallas Baptist University graduate contributed in a huge way to the success of the '08 Rays by stroking 12 homeruns and driving in 30 RBIs (.253 avg.) in just 62 games.  Ben proved once again that he is an extremely versatile athlete that can play multiple positions and the Rays have big plans for him in the future. 

Breakings News (7-5-09):  Ben Zobrist is a 2009 American League All-Star!!

Ben had a great 2009 season! Among the American League leaders in a number of statistical categories, he finished the season with a .297 average with 27 home runs and 91 RBIs as the Rays finished in third place behind the Yankees and the Red Sox in the best division in MLB.

He is a member of the Liberty Bible Church in Eureka, IL and has a real passion to be a testimony for Christ both on and off the field.  Please join Sports4Him in praying for Ben as he plays for the ultimate glory of God!

Tim Hulett, Manager of the
Spokane Indians

Former Major League infielder Tim Hulett is serving as the Manager of the Spokane Indians, the Class A affiliate of the Texas Rangers.  After graduating from Lanphier High School in Springfield, IL, Tim played twelve seasons in the big leagues. After his retirement from baseball, Tim served as Athletic Director at Calvary Academy in Springfield and hired and coached basketball with Dave Cunningham. 

Tim's son, Tug Hulett, who played basketball for Dave at Calvary, is a member of the Kansas City Royals. 

Both Tim and Tug have excellent testimonies for Christ and desire to impact others through the avenue of athletics. Join Sports4Him in praying for these two brothers in Christ as they too coach and play for the ultimate glory of God!

Tug Hulett, Second Baseman
Kansas City Royals

Alexandra Grider
  Hannibal-Lagrange University

Former Maroa Forsyth High School standout, Alex Grider, recently completed her freshman year at Hannibal-Lagrange University in Hannibal, MO. Alex has made an immediate impact at H-L, starting at third base and providing solid offensive production. Hannibal Lagrange is Christian liberal arts college affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. 

As a three-year starter and starting shortstop for the Maroa Forsyth Lady Trojans, Alex consistently led her team in numerous offensive categories.  She is a member of the Harvest Community Church in Maroa, IL. Please join Sports4Him in praying for Alex as she continues her college career!

S4H Founder Dave Cunningham with wife Kathy, S4H Director Randy Aldrich with wife Kim, and S4H Board of Reference Member Steve Camp  

Upcoming Articles!

In the coming weeks Sports4Him will be featuring a series of articles by Dr. Richard Mayhue, Senior Vice President and Dean of the Master's Seminary in Sun Valley CA.  Dr. Mayhue is a cherished friend and a gifted expositor of the Word of God.  He is the author of a number of excellent books including How to Interpret the Bible for Yourself, The Healing Promise, What Would Jesus Say About Your Church?, Seeking God and Practicing Proverbs.

Be on the look out for these upcoming articles by Richard Mayhue and S4H Director Bryan McKenzie...

The Resurrection: Our Faith Depends on It (Mayhue)
Humility (McKenzie)

Question of the Week

We want to hear from YOU!  Who has the Lord used in your life to greatly influence you as a Christian athlete, coach, or fan and WHY? 

Click here to respond.  We will post excerpts from your answers in the weeks to come.

 

Psalm 100 is one of the most comforting and encouraging chapters in the Bible.  In this short psalm of thanksgiving we find two great truths that the Christian should joyfully celebrate each and every day. The Psalmist writes:   

 

“Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing.  Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the Sheep of His pasture.  Enter His gates with Thanksgiving and His courts with praise.  Give thanks to Him, bless His name.  For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations.”

 

What are those two enriching truths? #1, He is God (verse 3) and #2, He is good (verse 5)! 

 

Anything less than that divine combination falls short.  As the people of God, we have great comfort, peace and hope because He is both God and good.

 

Think about it.  If God was something less than the omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent God of the Bible—He would not have the ultimate power and authority to impose his goodness. He would be less than almighty God and then subject to external powers.

 

And then, if God was God but He wasn’t good—we would all be deservedly doomed for eternity to a Christ-less hell.

 

But the amazing thing is that He is both almighty God and He is inherently good.

 

HE IS GOD

 

“It is He who made us”, the Psalmist says, “not we ourselves.”  But amazingly, so many people live their lives as if they created themselves.  Oh, they may give some lip service about God but they ultimately do what they want, when they want and how they want. 

 

When I was a kid, I used to like to watch those mad scientist movies.  The scientist, who always had an evil agenda, would create a human being in the laboratory and then the person would be totally devoted to whatever the scientist told him to do. 

 

I have often thought that is the kind of devotion that the true Creator God is due—complete and utter devotion and obedience to Him. Why? Because He is God. He created us.

 

While I think we understand the intended illustration above, my analogy crumbles to pieces because the mad scientists in the movies were generally evil and up to no good.  But the reassuring message of Psalm 100 is that God is not only God but He is good.

Read Entire Article
 

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Dave with Kurt Warner of the Arizona Cardinals and Zach Maher and Mike Hess

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God, Government and You

by Dave Cunningham

Listen here to a special message preached by Dave Cunningham on this all-important subject for the Christian.

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(Blog)

Check out our NEW
"In it 2 Win it!" Blog

 

 

We hope the NEW "In it 2 Win it!" Blog will be a most helpful resource and an avenue of meaningful interaction for our Sports4Him teammates.

Recent Blog articles include (see an excerpt below):

• The Institution of Marriage
• Dad's Job
• The Word
• Peace
• Let Go and Let God?

Daniel Kohavi, a talented point guard and former standout at Pawnee High School (IL) is now playing for NAIA power Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio.  Daniel is a member of Southern View Chapel in Springfield, IL and hopes to contribute in a big way to the Yellow Jackets' success this coming season!

Congratulations Daniel! Check out his Sports4Him profle here.